Important Notice:

Please note: due to a slight change in the itinerary, your trip will now depart from London on Day 2 at 7:15am. Please contact your Reservations Agent or see the Contiki Basement Staff for more details regarding your Kick Start and Departure meeting times.
For Summer departures check out the
European Vista tour

If you're looking for a leisurely yet adventurous holiday around Europe then the European Vista fits the bill. 10 countries in 21 days means time to really get acquainted with each city while fantastic destinations like Lucerne and Vienna as well as the essential Paris, Rome and Amsterdam stops mean all your sightseeing bases are covered. Options for your free time include a Tuscan dinner, Mozart concert and wine tasting.

Top Offers & Trip Notes

Itinerary + Inclusions & ME Time Optionals

ME Time Optionals

ME Time optionals will take your trip to a whole new level with unforgettable experiences unique to the places you
visit. See more, do more, live more & go home completely regret-free. Costs for these aren’t included in your
tour cost & are payable to your Trip Manager in local currency.

Inclusions

On our trips we don't just take you to the destinations, we make sure you get under the skin of every place you visit. From amazing food & accommodation, to exclusive access to incredible experiences, with Contiki you'll get unbeatable value & a completely unique travel experience.

1
Arrive London

Check-in to your hotel after 2pm and the remainder of the day is free to relax before meeting your fellow travellers for your Kickstart meeting this evening. Afterwards why not grab some dinner at one of the local restaurants or take a short walk to explore nearby Covent Garden

2
London to Paris

Meet up with your Contiki team before we hit the road and take a ferry past the White Cliffs of Dover. We travel via World War I battlefields in the Valley of the Somme, to Paris.

Tonight, the group kick-starts Paris with the ‘Tour of Illuminations’, which shows off the French capital’s transformation into the “City of Lights”. Lamp-lit bridges and cool little cafés give us a real taste of Paris’ romance. Your Trip Manager will fill you in on the world’s most-recognised monuments, like the Eiffel Tower and the Arc de Triomphe.

Hotel
Dinner

See the White Cliffs of Dover

Exclusive 'Paris by Night' sightseeing tour

See the Eiffel Tower, Arc de Triomphe, the Louvre, the Champs-Élysées, and Notre Dame Cathedral

3
Paris

This town is loaded with possibilities. Discover its many bistros, museums, tree-lined avenues and diverse quartiers (neighbourhoods). Get a feel for French flair by window shopping on the Left Bank. Step into the Notre Dame or explore the endless galleries of the Louvre, where you can get up close to the famous Mona Lisa. In your free time, try indulging in some delicious pastries and relax in one of Paris’ many cafés.

Treat yourself to the full Parisian experience with a cabaret show, complete with can-can girls, dinner and Champagne. But don’t stop there – afterwards hit the clubs and finish up your time here with a big Parisian night out.

Hotel
Breakfast

Moulin Rouge

Euro 149.00

4
Paris to Lucerne

With down-time on the coach, plug in your MP3, chill out to some music and chat with friends while travelling through the scenic wine producing regions of Burgundy and Chablis.

Next stop: the jaw-droppingly beautiful Alpine town of Lucerne.

Feature Hotel
Breakfast,Dinner

Feature Hotel: Swiss Mountain Hotel

See Chablis & Burgundy vineyards

5
Lucerne

Get above the clouds with an optional excursion to Mt. Pilatus. You can see massive mountain ranges with a bird’s-eye view over this spectacular region.

With covered wooden bridges, cobbled lanes and quaint buildings, Lucerne’s centre is perfect to explore on foot. Also to stock up on lots of genuine Swiss chocolate! Your Tour Manager can give you pointers on where to pick up the best-priced watches that Switzerland is so famous for.

Hotel
Breakfast,Dinner

Feature Hotel: Swiss Mountain Hotel

See the Wooden Chapel Bridge in Lucerne

View the Lion Monument

Mt. Pilatus

Euro 45.00

Swiss Fondue Lunch

€30.00

6
Lucerne to French Riviera

Unwind on the coach as we cut through Italy and head south to the French Riviera.

Then we hit the rugged coast line of the stunning Côte d’Azur. Follow the beautiful sapphire waters to the palm trees and sun-soaked shores of Nice.

Tonight get a taste of the high life in Monaco, the glamorous principality packed into just 1.92km2 and home of the Formula 1. Indulge in a bit of glitz with the group by opting for a typically French 4-course meal just a few doors down from the Royal Palace. Get the inside story on the Royal Family and their place of residence from your Tour Manager, then try your luck at a casino later on.

Hotel
Breakfast

Scenic drive along the Côte d'Azur

See the Royal Palace in Monaco

Rub shoulders with the rich & famous with a visit to a Monte Carlo casino

Monaco Dinner

Euro 35.50

7
French Riviera

In your free time live a bit of the lifestyle with a visit to the local markets. Try out the region’s produce like lavender honey, aioli (garlic mayonnaise) and mouth-watering rosé wine.

Window shop the chic boutiques or spend the afternoon relaxing in one of the many cafés.

Hotel
Breakfast,Dinner

8
French Riviera to Florence

Next stop on the Riviera and home to the French perfume industry is Fragonard perfumery. Learn more about how perfume is made and some of its more surprising ingredients. It’s also a chance to pick up a bottle or 2 at great price.

We stop off at Pisa’s famous Leaning Tower, before driving through the Tuscan countryside to the Renaissance city of Florence.

The scene-stealing Duomo Cathedral rises above Florence, which serves up frescoes, markets and priceless art. After dinner, walk along the River Arno with your Trip Manager, take in the atmosphere and head into the heart of Florence, where you can sit back and relax Tuscan style with a glass of Chianti wine.

Hotel
Breakfast,Dinner

Visit a French perfumery

See the Leaning Tower of Pisa

9
Florence

Jump start the day uncovering this open-air museum. Our Local Guide gives you the inside track as the group learns about Florence’s cultural beginnings and explores streets crammed with artworks from masters like Michelangelo. Then take a look into a skillful demonstration of Florentine leather making and understand this region’s traditional art.

With bargains and bustle, the city’s markets are a great place to hang out. Grab a gelato and enjoy this gorgeous city.

Tonight, there’s a choice of a group dinner – an authentic Tuscan feast. Try regional dishes in a fantastic Tuscan country setting. Then keep it moving with a night out and get your groove on at Florence’s biggest nightclub.

Breakfast

Discover the Secrets of Michelangelo's Florence – see where his David was gifted to the Florentines, Ponte Vecchio, the Medici Palace & much more on our locally guided walking tour of Florence

Stylish Rome oozes energy and overflows with relics from another age. Our special access coach tour gets you right into the thriving atmosphere of this living timeline as your Tour Manager shows you the Colosseum and Piazza Venezia. Continue on foot to check out the Pantheon and Piazza Navona. Honour tradition at the Trevi Fountain and throw a coin in the fountain’s waters (it’s meant to improve your chances of returning to Rome!) or maybe hang out with your new friends at the Spanish Steps, sit back with a few slices of pizza and people watch.

This morning, make the most of our Local Guide’s inside knowledge with an optional guided tour of the Vatican Museums, including the Sistine Chapel and St. Peter’s Basilica.

Take off into the city and absorb the atmosphere, as Vespas flash past timeworn monuments that are surrounded by fountains, pizzerias, cafés and bars. Before you hit the shops, let your Trip Manager point you in the right direction with some tips on the best buys.

In your free time, live the local lifestyle by indulging in a long lunch on a paved piazza or knock back a shot of espresso at the bar, like the Romans do.

During your time in this special city, you’ll get a good look into the Venetian way of life.

Hotel
Breakfast,Dinner

13
Venice

Known as the “floating city”, Venice is packed with character, crammed with hidden lanes and linked by a network of canals.

The group travels on our private boat through the waters of the lagoon to visit the city’s historical heart. The limestone Bridge of Sighs, the Gothic arches of the Doge’s Palace and the expanse of St. Mark’s Square (pigeons and all!) show off Venice’s unique beauty and way of life.

Take some time to explore the floating city and lose yourself in the backstreets. There’s an optional walking tour where you can discover the labyrinth of interweaving lanes, waterways, palaces, piazzi and markets with our Local Guide. You’ll see historic monuments, hidden treasures and the Rialto market – a local favourite for food shopping.

Maybe grab a table on St. Mark’s Square and eat some delicious Italian food al fresco.

Cap off the day with an optional gondola ride & share this amazing experience with your friends - seeing Venice from on the water is unforgettable!

Hotel
Breakfast

Private boat through the canals & islands of Venice

See the Bridge of Sighs, the Doge's Palace & St. Mark's Square

See Venice's iconic canals & gondolas

Venice walking tour

Euro 11.00

Gondola ride

Euro 22.00

Venetian Dinner

Euro 32.50

Tour t-shirts

From Euro 18.50 - 29.00

14
Venice to Munich

Today, it’s northbound to the home of the world-famous Oktoberfest, Munich - a city that blends traditional Bavarian culture and modern lifestyle.

Explore the heart of Munich’s old town with the crew, and head to Marienplatz. It’s a central gathering spot famous for the Glockenspiel - a Gothic clock, complete with 32 dancing figures and 43 chiming bells.

Then why not head off with some friends for a taste of tradition to a typical beer hall and park yourselves at a long wooden table? You could feast on hearty local food, like roasted pork knuckle, and quench your thirst with a stein of one of Germany’s 5000 brews.

Hotel
Breakfast

Scenic drive past vineyards, orchards & castles

See the Glockenspiel & Marienplatz

Visit a traditional beer hall

Winter Walking Tour

Euro 9.00

15
Munich to Vienna

Remember one of history’s darkest moments with a sobering stop at the Dachau concentration camp memorial. Learn more at the museum and walk through the remaining living quarters.

Continue on to the cultural hub of Vienna. Tonight, we’ll stay at the striking Eventhotel Pyramide. The hotel comes complete with spa & wellness centre, an outdoor heated pool and deluxe rooms.

This evening it’s all about the culture at an optional dinner and concert. Up first is a classical music concert with former Vienna locals, Mozart and Strauss, in one of the city’s imperial palaces. Follow this up with a traditional Viennese meal in an old-world restaurant.

Feature Hotel
Breakfast

Visit the Dachau concentration camp memorial

Mozart and Strauss Concert with Dinner

Euro 64.00

16
Vienna

Your Trip Manager starts the day by introducing the group to the city’s historical heritage. There’s the imperial grandeur of Schönbrunn Palace, the elegantly ornate State Opera House and St. Stephen’s Cathedral – a Gothic masterpiece. Cruise down Kärntner Strasse, Vienna’s main shopping spot and buy some traditional ceramics and materials for gifts back home.

There’s free time to check out the magnificent squares and majestic palaces or the city’s art galleries. Take a break in a coffee house like the locals do or wander along the Danube River.

Get schnaps savvy with a behind-the-scenes look into this local liqueuer’s production in an optional excursion to the Old Vienna Schnaps Museum.

Feature Hotel
Breakfast,Dinner

See Schönbrunn Palace, St. Stephen's Cathedral & the State Opera House

Scenic drive along the historic Ring Road

Old Vienna Schnaps Museum

Euro 7.00

17
Vienna to Prague

Roll through Bohemia as we head to the capital of the Czech Republic, Prague, "The City of a Thousand Spires."

Prague is a beautiful and atmospheric city. It’s also pretty compact, so it’s best explored on foot. Get straight into Prague’s historic heart with your Tour Manager. You’ll walk together over the landmark Charles Bridge, through Hradcany Castle, the home of the original Bohemian Kings and to the gothic St Vitus Cathedral, along the way.

Spend some time in the picturesque Old Town Square, where historic buildings and churches surround cafés that spill out onto the pavement. With some world-famous Czech pilsner in hand, park yourself at a table, people-watch and try out some of the traditional local dumplings.

Hotel
Breakfast,Dinner

See Hradčany Castle, the Cathedral of St. Vitus, Charles Bridge and Wenceslas Square

Visit the Old Town Square and see the Astronomical Clock

18
Prague

Prague is a beautiful and atmospheric city. It’s also pretty compact, so it’s best explored on foot. Get straight into Prague’s historic heart with your Trip Manager. You’ll walk together over the landmark Charles Bridge, through Hradčany Castle, the home of the original Bohemian Kings and to the Gothic St. Vitus Cathedral along the way.

Choose a cruise on the Vltava River, which runs through the heart of Prague, and take in stunning views of the city from the water. The Czech capital has a really mixed past so look out for signs of the Holy Roman Empire, the Bohemian Empire, the Nazis and the Communists.

Free time means you can get deeper into Prague’s Old Town in your own time. The city itself is a UNESCO World Heritage site, with a jumble of little lanes, alleys and courtyards. Slow the pace down and give yourself a chance to uncover its hidden treasures.

Spend some time in the picturesque Old Town Square, where historic buildings and churches surround cafés that spill out onto the pavement. With some world-famous Czech pilsner in hand, park yourself at a table, people-watch and try out some of the traditional local dumplings. This is also the spot to pick up some famous Bohemian glass, beads or garnet and amber jewellery

By night, Prague bursts with possibilities. Loaded with all types of music, from jazz bars and hip DJs to opera, there is something for everyone, so make the most of it with your friends.

Hotel
Breakfast

River cruise with buffet meal

Euro 29.00

Haunted Histories by Night

Euro 9.00

19
Prague to Rhine Valley

Chill out while the coach follows the Rhine River, weaving through valleys dotted with castles and vineyards.

Next stop - the pretty, old-world village of St Goar, complete with fairy-tale castle and even a free-standing cuckoo clock! With our included river cruise, drift past quaint riverside towns and magical castles and see this UNESCO World Heritage area.

Get savvy with a demonstration on the local craft of beer steins.
Then kick back with a glass of local wine and choose to find out more with the included wine tasting in a candlelit underground cellar.

Hotel
Breakfast,Dinner

Scenic drive along the Rhine River

See the Lorelei Rock

Learn how beer steins are crafted

Visit the riverside town St. Goar

Wine tasting in an historic cellar

20
Rhine Valley to Amsterdam

Head into the buzzing capital of Amsterdam to check out the city’s eye-opening Red Light District, where the creative and the wacky come together on narrow cobbled streets, 24/7.

Hotel
Breakfast,Dinner

See Amsterdam's canals & gable houses by night

21
Amsterdam

In an intro into Dutch culture, see how clogs are made and try some of the famous Dutch Edam at a cheese farm.

Tonight, try some of the traditional local cuisine at a restaurant in a nearby fishing village. With an optional evening canal cruise, there’s a chance to get to know the group, unwind with a few drinks and uncover Amsterdam at water level as you drift past the city lights.

Hotel
Breakfast

Visit a cheese farm & clog maker's house

Volendam Dinner

Euro 31.50

Canal Cruise (1.5 hours)

Euro 31.50

22
Depart Amsterdam

This morning after breakfast we transfer you to Schiphol Airport (estimated arrival 10:00am) where your trip ends. Or choose to take a complimentary transfer to central London & extend your stay.